Conrad Katzander

Composting Program Improves School’s Sustainability

February 11, 2022 by Conrad Katzander

A student puts compostable waste into the Blue Line Compost bucket (photo: Conrad Katzander ’22)

Northwood’s Environmental Club is working to advance sustainability at Northwood by diverting our food waste from the landfill through a new composting initiative. Northwood is partnering with Blue Line Compost, a local small business, to help manage the collection process and turn our food waste into great compost.

Northwood generates a significant amount of food waste in the form of pre-consumer and post-consumer waste every day. The food waste that we throw into the trash goes to the landfill and creates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Food waste also takes up valuable space in the landfill. By sending our food waste to Blue Line Compost we will significantly reduce our carbon footprint as a school and will also benefit the community by creating amazing soil that can be used by the people who grow our food.

Composting is an easy thing that can substantially benefit the community.

According to the Blue Line Compost web site the company “is committed to rebuilding soils, helping our local agricultural community, and working within our local economy.”

What can we compost at Northwood?

Anything that is edible, sauces, soups, bread, bones, meat, fish, citrus, egg shells, shellfish, coffee grounds, coffee filters, napkins, paper towels, paper towel rolls, parchment paper, wooden stirrers, shredded office paper, brown paper bags, and compostable paper take-out containers.

What can’t we compost at our school?

Metal, glass, plastic, ashes, compostable plastic, gum, wax, brines or cures, bulk salt, pet food, pet waste, baby wipes, dryer sheets, lint, junk mail, or receipts.

The composting program began shortly before February break and will continue through the end of the year and hopefully beyond.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World, Top Story

Growing Lettuce Without Soil: Advanced STEM Research

February 11, 2022 by Conrad Katzander

Peppi DelliQuadri ’22 with his Advanced STEM research project (photo: Conrad Katzander ’22)

In the Friedlander Science Building you can find an interesting room with ongoing independent scientific research projects. As you walk into the classroom, you see romaine lettuce growing without soil inside large tents. This is for the Advanced STEM Research class at Northwood. It’s a scientific research class where each student picks their own research project. Students are doing research on drones to collaborating with a local Orthopedic surgeon on a case report for a patient had knee replacement that got infected. The STEM program at Northwood allows students to work on hands-on projects of their choice and learn about the scientific research process.

Staff writer Conrad Katzander ‘22 interviewed Peppi DelliQuadri ‘22 about his research project.

KATZANDER: What Is the name of your project?
DELLIQUADRI: “Effects of Photoperiod on Growth of Baby Romaine Lettuce Using Ebb and Flow Hydroponics.”

What are you trying to learn? What’s your goal?
For my project I’m learning how to grow romaine lettuce without soil. Using water with Hydroponics in the room, we are determining the specific effects of photoperiods on the growth of little gem romaine lettuce growing inside grow tents using ebb and flow hydroponics.
The goal is to use the research process as I go, collecting data along the way, and documenting my whole process.

How long will this project take?
I did lots of research and found out that lettuce grows great in a hydroponic system. I decided growing lettuce for 45 days was a perfect amount of time, so that way I could test the results and harvest. It also is short enough that I could have another trial.

What are you using for materials?
The project is located in the science building, and it’s a closed system so we can control the humidity and temperature of the room for the lettuce. I am using hydrofarm megagarden systems with one LED in each tent. I use Masterblend 4-18-38 complete combo fertilizer for nutrients which I mix into the closed system. I started the seeds in rockwool before transplanting them into the system after 5 days of growth. I Check the pH every 3 days and I adjust the pH depending on if it’s too low or too high. And I track their growth.

Will you take research process with you wherever you go next?
Yes, I will take the research process with me as I plan to study agriculture in college.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Shashwath Sunkum ‘22

February 7, 2022 by Conrad Katzander

I spontaneously decided to come to Northwood and change the trajectory of my future, but little did I know that I would find a place half-way across the world I can call home. The experience has been a surreal one, with delightful surprises each day. The remarkably amicable community has been so welcoming, making my transitions from life in India seamless. Nestled in the Adirondacks, the sky is both metaphorically and literally the limit. The opportunities available to explore one’s varied interests are seemingly infinite. I have been intellectually challenged by esoteric men, the likes of Mr. Reed, Mr. McCauley, Mr. LeBlanc & Mr. Emery. Unexpectedly, I found a passion for recreational skiing. Ms. Fagan expertly taught us beginners this skill, making us all fall in love with it. Although my short time at Northwood, is approaching its completion, I can proudly say that Northwood School & the town of Lake Placid, are an integral part of my identity.

As told to Conrad Katzander ‘22 (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge)

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Art Teacher Goes Back to School for MFA

February 4, 2022 by Conrad Katzander

Northwood’s art teacher Ms. Van Slyke is going attending graduate school at the Savannah college for Art and Design to get her Master in Fine Arts (MFA) in painting. She is pursuing this ambitious goal while she is still teaching her art classes at Northwood.

Staff writer Conrad Katzander ‘22, and artist himself, spoke to Van Slyke about her experience.

Katzander: Why did you decide to go back to art school?

Van Slyke: I’ve been a professional artist for many, many years, but I always wanted a deeper understanding of why I do the art that I do. I also believe that no matter what your age, you should never stop learning and growing as an artist.

How has grad school changed your art?

My art has changed a lot because I am now working much larger and working with one cohesive body of work.

Do you like being a student and a teacher?

Yes, because the best way to learn something is to teach it as well.

What types of things are you learning at school?

Every semester I take a painting class. I’ve also taken graduate drawing, art history, art criticism, and MFA self-promotion. Next year I will start working towards my thesis. I have also had two internships.

Ms. Ingrid Van Slyke working on a painting. (Photo provided)

What things have you learned in your school that you have been applying to the classes that you teach?

In painting specifically, it is that as painters you need to have a plan before you start your painting. Having drawings and sketches as well as color studies and then developing it on the canvas is very useful.

As I student, I have learned how valuable it is when teachers make expectations clear for their students. I’ve learned from seeing how other art teachers teach differently.

How far along are you with your MFA and how do you take your classes?

Its online schooling. I’m four years in and I have one more year to go. I take one course at a time during the schoolyear and two classes in the summer.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Top Story

Art Room a Sanctuary for Creative Students

January 31, 2022 by Conrad Katzander

Kami O’Brien ’22 in the art studio (Photo: Conrad Katzander ’22)

Students at Northwood come down to the art room everyday on their own time to create, paint, and draw but the art room isn’t just a space where people go to create art, it’s more than that.

Learn more about the importance of the art room at Northwood from the students that spend the most time there. I asked the following questions to several of those students and here are their responses:

Kate Broderick ’22

What does the art room mean to you?

The art room offers art classes but, I also like to think of the art room as a fun space; I’ve always enjoyed art whether I’m good at it or not, and being able to have a free space open to students is great. I’ve taken a trimester painting course both this year and last year and really enjoyed it. But, I also like to think of the art room as a fun space; I’ve always enjoyed art whether I’m good at it or not, and being able to have a free space open to students is great.

What types of projects are you working on for class?

Right now we are working on a neon sign painting project on black canvas. I chose to do a red and blue sign from a local bar and so far it’s been more difficult than I expected.

How often do you come to the art room during your free time?

I haven’t had much time recently to do projects in my free time, but during the summer or other school breaks I sometimes do smaller paintings. This year I haven’t been able to spend much time in the art room outside of class, but in the past I’ve gone during some study halls or weekends to work on class projects or get caught up.

What’s your favorite form of art?

My favorite form of art is most likely painting. I’m not sure why I like it more, but it kind’ve always has been.

When you’re in the art room absorbed in one of your projects how do you feel?

Getting absorbed in a project for me is when I notice that my work is starting to come together or it’s turning out better/worse than I expected. If it’s taking a long time to get the details right or I don’t like a certain color I used it can be frustrating, but the best feeling is noticing that it’s working and looking like I hoped.

Conrad Katzander ’22

Conrad Katzander ’22 in the art room. Photo provided.

What types of projects are you working on for class? What about for fun?

I’m working on a neon robot painting for my painting II class and I’ve been doing some abstract doodles in my free time.

How often do you come to the art room during your free time?

I try to come down to the art room at least a couple times a week during my free time, like during my free periods.

When do you usually come down to the art room?

I usually come to the Art room during study hall when my work is finished to work on painting.

When you’re in the art room absorbed in one of your projects how do you feel?

The art room is usually a quiet place where I can be creative and learn to solve problems by figuring out that making mistakes while painting or drawing are okay and can be worked with.

What materials do you like to use when you come down?

I tend to paint with acrylic on pretty much any canvas. I also like using paint markers and paint mops.

Julia Turner ’22

When you’re in the art room absorbed in one of your projects how do you feel?

I get focused, determined and I get into the zone when I get absorbed in one of my projects.

What does the art room mean to you?

A really nice space where you can go and be you and put your thoughts out on something that is not really readable.

How often do you come to the art room during your free time?

I usually come during free periods after study hall and weekends pretty regularly.

What types of projects are you working on for class? What about for fun?

I’m working on a 16X20 still life of bones in charcoal for drawing class. I did the Series of paintings finished hanging as you enter the dining room also the sketches in the lecture hall.

What materials do you like to use when you come down?

Acrylic paint, ink, watercolor, and graphite.

Caroline Harrison ’22

What types of projects are you working on for class? What about for fun?

I’m working on an independent study painting from the styles of the Canadian group of 7.

How often do you come to the art room during your free time?

I spend 10-12 hours a week in the art room painting.

What materials do you like to use when you come down?

I use water soluble paints and oil paints for painting landscapes.

When you’re in the art room absorbed in one of your projects how do you feel?

Its definitely easy to get absorbed in painting and its also easy to obsess about a painting. It’s a happy quiet place of freedom.

Airika Penney ’22

What types of projects are you working on for class?

For class I’m working on a Neon themed piece of a pawn shop that means something to me back home.

How often do you come to the art room during your free time?

I usually come during the last hour of study hall after my works done. And I work with acrylic paint. When I get absorbed in one of my projects everything else disappears

Ella Procyk ’24 in the art room (Photo: Conrad Katzander ’22)

Tam Nguyen ‘ 22

What types of projects are you working on for class? What about for fun?

In my free time I’m always working on something new. I’m working on an acrylic painting for fun but definitely enjoying all the pieces I’m working on!

When you’re in the art room absorbed in one of your projects how do you feel?

The art room is a place where I can let my creativity flow. It’s great to play to work and play music and just have fun down there because it’s usually empty.

What materials do you like to use when you come down?

Anything available I will use acrylic and oil painting etc. pastels are locked at night so I use whatever I can get my hands on.

How often do you come to the art room during your free time?

I come down at least 1 once a day to either the art room or music room during my free period/ free time.

Last painting picture.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Art Courses an Outlet for Student Creativity

December 4, 2021 by Conrad Katzander

At the furthest end of the main building there is a space full of creativity, color and new ideas. Students gather here for classes and during their free time to explore their passion for making things and advance their skills in the world of art.

Northwood offers a variety of art classes including Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, and Sculpture where students can learn how to work with different mediums. Student artists work with pastels, acrylic paint, water color, paint markers, oil paint, clay, a variety of different types of paper, found objects, charcoal.

In the beginning of the trimester in Painting I students were taught a variety of skills such as, the basics of color by using frosting mixed with food coloring. We then mixed the frosting to make all the colors and painted vanilla cookies with it. It was a simple, hands-on exercise that was informative, fun and delicious!

Artist: Conrad Katzander ’22

Artist: Julia Turner ’23

Caroline Harrison’s Color Palette

Artist: Caroline Harrison ’22

Color assignment in Painting I

Painting I students spent more time in in the fall figuring out ways water can affect the canvas depending on how much water is used when working with watercolor. They also learned how to bring shapes of our choice off of the page by layering the shapes on top of each other after putting down a base coat and carefully painting certain areas.

The culminating project in Painting I is “The Chair Project.” Ms. Van Slyke spent the summer collecting chairs so her students could choose an artist of their choice and then transform the chair into a version of a piece inspired by that artist. Students picked famous artists like Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Keith Haring, Lee Krasner and others. The finished chairs are currently displayed in Northwood’s dining room and pictured below.